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West Elk Mine <br />2.04 -59 Rev. 06/05- PR10, 03/06- PR10, 04/06- PR10, 09/07- PR12; 05/22- MR462 <br /> <br /> <br />A more detailed discussion of the hydrogeologic characteristics of these units can be found later <br />in this section. <br /> <br />Baseline Monitoring Program <br /> <br />This section discusses the program that MCC has implemented to monitor ground water quantity <br />and quality resources in the permit area. At least one year of baseline data will be collected prior to <br />longwall mining under or within the angle-of-draw of a monitored water resource. Monitoring data <br />are presented in the Annual Hydrology Reports (AHR). <br /> <br />Groundwater Level and Quantity <br /> <br />The currently monitored groundwater wells are described and listed in Exhibit 71. Exhibits 71 and <br />71A present both the hydrologic monitoring program as well as monitoring site locations within the <br />permit area. Locations of monitoring wells are presented on Map 1 in Exhibit 71 and Table 3 in the <br />exhibit provides a summary of groundwater monitoring well characteristics. A complete listing of <br />all monitoring data is presented in the AHRs. <br /> <br />Appendix A of Exhibit 71 is a technical memo entitled, “2016 Recommended Modifications to the <br />West Elk Mine Hydrologic Monitoring Network”. This memo was the basis of Technical Revision <br />TR-139 that revised the hydrology monitoring program that is detailed in Exhibit 71. <br /> <br />Groundwater Quality <br /> <br />As with groundwater level and quantity, the groundwater quality monitoring program (as revised in <br />2016) is detailed in Exhibit 71. Analyses are completed as outlined in the Guidelines for Collection <br />of Baseline Water Quality and Overburden Geochemistry Data (CDMG, 1982). Results are <br />reported in the AHRs. If not already provided in AHRs, baseline data will be provided to CDRMS <br />prior to longwall mining under or within the angle-of-draw of a monitored water resource. <br /> <br />Table 4 in Exhibit 71 provides a summary of groundwater quality data from the South of Divide and <br />Dry Fork permit areas. Table 5 of the Exhibit provides the baseline and routine monitoring <br />frequencies. Table 9 of Exhibit 71 provides another summary of the groundwater monitoring well <br />characteristics and Table 10 provides a summary of the groundwater monitoring program. <br />Groundwater Quantity Characteristics <br /> <br />Over 238 exploration holes have been drilled on or near the West Elk Mine coal lease area. Records <br />and consultation with project geologists indicate that water was encountered only sporadically in the <br />Mesaverde Formation, indicating groundwater is localized and of limited areal extent. As defined in <br />the CDRMS rules, an aquifer is “a zone, stratum or group of strata acting as a hydraulic unit that can <br />store or transmit water in sufficient quantities for beneficial use.” Based on information presented <br />in the next several sections of this document (i.e., permeability analyses, and water level <br />observations), it is the contention of MCC that none of the geologic members of the Mesaverde <br />Formation are aquifers within the West Elk Mine permit area.